direction, person, alternative
方 centers on pointing or facing a particular way: a direction, a side, or a method. The 'person' sense is a polite way to refer to someone by their direction or side, and 'alternative' extends the idea of choosing one direction over another.
direction; way; side; area (in a particular direction)
direction; way
you
method; way; manner; process; procedure; means; measure
one (esp. of two); the other; one way; the other way; one direction; the other direction; one side; the other side; one party; the other party
way; method; means; resource; course
district; region; area; locality
direction; orientation; bearing; way
both; both sides; both parties
way of using (something); way to use; how to use; usage; use
way (of doing); manner; method; means
you
policy; course; plan (of action); principle
friend; ally; supporter
way of thinking; point of view; opinion; approach (e.g. to a problem); attitude
form; method; system; formula
here and there; this way and that way; everywhere; all over
people; (all) persons; everyone; ladies and gentlemen
early evening (usu. from 3pm to 6pm); dusk
direction; district; area
(one's) whereabouts
way of saying (something); way of putting it; wording; phrasing; language; expression
eastern direction
viewpoint; point of view; way of looking (at something); view; angle
方 originally depicted a plow or a square tool, and later came to represent direction or side. The modern form is simplified and abstract, but the connection to orientation remains.
The shape looks like a signpost with a dot on top pointing the way. Imagine a directional sign with a clear arrow: 方 shows you which way to go.
For ホウ, picture a compass pointing home: home -> ホウ, and the signpost shows the direction home.